Tree removal in Marin County: the local rules

What Marin County's code says

Marin County code What Marin County's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt if disease, damage or age makes long-term survival of the tree unlikely. Applies: Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot. § 22.62.040 · code text The general health of the tree is so poor due to disease, damage, or age that efforts to ensure its long-term health and survival are unlikely to be successful; Exempt if a pathogen or insects threaten nearby trees, as an arborist report or qualified professional finds. Applies: Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot. § 22.62.040 · code text The tree is infected by a pathogen or attacked by insects that threaten surrounding trees as determined by an arborist report or other qualified professional; Exempt if the tree may fall and is a safety hazard whose instability cannot be fixed. Applies: Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot. § 22.62.040 · code text The tree is a potential public health and safety hazard due to the risk of its falling and its structural instability cannot be remedied; Exempt if the tree is a public nuisance damaging improvements or interfering with public utilities. Applies: Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot. § 22.62.040 · code text The tree is a public nuisance by causing damage to improvements, such as building foundations, retaining walls, roadways/driveways, patios, sidewalks and decks, or interfering with the operation, repair, or maintenance of public utilities; Exempt if a Fire Inspector identifies the tree as a fire hazard. Applies: Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot. § 22.62.040 · code text The tree has been identified by a Fire Inspector as a fire hazard; Exempt if banning removal would conflict with CC&Rs that existed when the chapter was adopted. Applies: Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot. § 22.62.040 · code text Prohibiting the removal of the tree will conflict with CC&R's which existed at the time this Chapter was adopted; Exempt for up to 2 protected trees a year; no heritage trees, and none in Stream or Wetland Conservation Areas. Applies: Applies to developed lots. § 22.62.040 · code text The tree removal is on a developed lot and: 1) does not exceed two protected trees within a one-year timeframe; 2) does not entail the removal of any heritage trees; and 3) does not entail the removal of any protected or heritage trees within a Stream Conservation Area or a Wetland Conservation Area.
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Applies to Protected Trees, except removals that are exempt. § 22.27.030 · code text Protected Trees shall not be removed except in compliance with Section 22.62.040 (Exemptions), and as provided for in Chapter 22.62 (Tree Removal Permits).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Marin County?

Marin County's code: Yes, a permit is required. (Applies to Protected Trees, except removals that are exempt.) (§ 22.27.030); Exempt if disease, damage or age makes long-term survival of the tree unlikely. (Applies to any protected or heritage tree on a lot.) (§ 22.62.040).

Tree removal in Marin County

What Marin County's code says

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